A: Actually, James, I put in two solid days at the start of this month before the good folks at the Sun Sentinel gave me a 10-day block of time. I was supposed to use this time wisely – cleaning out my home office, doing a ton of yard work, helping my kids with their baseball skills – but I’m afraid I didn’t get nearly as much done as I had hoped. Regardless, I’m back now, pale and semi-rested, in case you hadn’t guessed, and looking forward to the next time the Dolphins let the media observe their OTA’s on May 19. Thanks for noticing my absence.

Q: Hey Mike; I love your Q&A. I will miss it while I am deployed. My question is the restricted free agents that have not signed yet whats there deal? I believe it’s R. Brown and Fasano that have not signed. When do they become free agents? Can we trade whatever rights we have to them? Thanks, Go Fins. James, Sumter, S.C.

A: Hello again, James! Felt like I let you down, so you get TWO questions in today. It’s still my understanding that neither Brown nor Fasano has signed his tender – that was the case last I checked directly with them. Nor is either player in any hurry to do so. Dolphins can’t trade either restricted free agent until/unless he signs the tender, and June 1 is the deadline to do so. Both players are obviously hoping for long-term offers, but none appear forthcoming. Godspeed in your deployment.

Q: Mike, what are your thoughts, and the chances, of Miami signing Adalius Thomas. Michael, New York City.

A: Thomas was cut by the Patriots on April 26, two days after the draft. If the Dolphins were going to make a play for him – as another South Florida media outlet led you to believe – I have to think it would have happened by now. Thomas has a strong history with new Dolphins defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, so you can’t totally rule out a low-cost signing. But Thomas is 32 and coming off a couple of very unproductive seasons in New England. That’s why he’s still sitting out there on the open market 17 days later.

Q: With O.J. Atogwe hitting the market on June 1 and Adalius Thomas already there as well as the fact he played some of the best years of his career under the charge of Mike Nolan, what do you think the odds are we get one these guys? I’m sure the age factor is going to play heavily into that decision but I think some veteran support is going to be needed with such a young D. Eric, Fin-a-delphia.

A: Atogwe, another restricted free agent, makes more sense to me than Thomas, but he won’t come cheap, not after pulling down 19 interceptions the past five seasons. That’s a strange case, one that amounts to a game of high-stakes chicken. With Atogwe having no interest in signing his $1.226 million right-of-first-refusal tender, and with the Rams reportedly reluctant to pay him the $7.7 million it would cost to renew him for next season, look for Atogwe – dislocated shoulder and all – to cash in big-time on the open market. Question is, after the Dolphins spent all that money on two players (Karlos Dansby and Brandon Marshall) do they want to throw Antrel Rolle money at Atogwe as well? It’s not like his presence in St. Louis has made the Rams a playoff contender or even a decent product. Plus, it’s believed Jerry Jones is preparing to back up the Brinks truck for him in Dallas. As for your location, be careful around Eagles fans. Talk Fins smack up there and somebody might try to Taser you.

Q: Mike, What are your thoughts about the Fins making a move for Vernon Davis? We need a TE. Not saying with Marshall Fasano shouldn’t have a better season but an upgrade is an upgrade. Rick, West Palm Beach.

A: According to CSNBayArea.com, the 49ers are talking about an extension for Vontae Davis’ older brother after Vernon enjoyed a breakout year in 2009. Vernon is reportedly looking for $40 million over five years, with $25 million of that guaranteed. So I’d say my thoughts on a Davis Brothers reunion in South Florida are: It’d be great to watch and a joy to cover, but don’t get your hopes up.

Comments (109 Comments)

I had a QB nightmare.
We traded Thigpen for a 4th.
Henne goes down for the season in game 3.
Penne goes down for the season in game 5.
Pat white is our starter for the next 11 games!
Brandon Marshall promptly mutinies because there is no one left with enough talent to get him the ball.

no way the yets will trade for ben then. by then fatryan will be slim sexy ryan and he will be afraid ben and his mob will lock him in a bathroom and bend him over the john and violate his rubber banded stomach the hard way

you gotta slow roll it in the offseason… there are only so many things to write about… it’s a long time before we really get into the next good part of the offseason…. they need to drag this stuff out or you’ll never make it lol.

KEEP 4 QBS ….. and while Pat White is developing we can use him for trick plays …… Then, after one full year of observation, Pennington will probably move on ….. at that time we should draft a QB in lower round ….. and decide on Thigpen vs White ….. BUT GIVE IT A YEAR

OMAR KELLY was unsuccessful at achieving his childhood dream to become a super hero, so he figured he'd do the next best thing and become a journalist who fights against injustice, and searches for truth. After being bored to death reporting news and covering politics, he switched to sports.
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IZZY GOULD joined the Sun Sentinel in Feb. 2012 as a Senior Sports Reporter on the Miami Dolphins beat. He came to South Florida fresh off covering the University of Alabama football program, including its 2011 national championship team. More